Skilling up a High Elf Lineman

Robotorz · Post by **Robotorz** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 7:17 pm

Take Mighty Blow! *g* GUAHRDDD!

datalorex · Post by **datalorex** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 12:09 am

Wow, I guess it's a near consensus. My ONLY concern with Gaurd is that it would make him a target. And I agree that I can give my passer Leader, but I can get it now and it would be a lot cheaper than buying a reroll.

Where could I put my Elf Lineman with Gaurd on the line where it won't get ganged up on?

And to answer the earlier question on how I deal with only 2 rerolls, I say that it is a new team (I've only played one game) and I couldn't afford more than that. I'll buy more rerolls as I get money, but an apothecary is my first priority.

Why didn't Dodge get any consideration. I know doubles are rare, but Dodge is the best ability in the game, right? It helps with defense and dodges. My team could use that, right?

Urb · Post by **Urb** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:31 am

You don't pick skills that help you win one game. You pick skills that will help you win all games. Just trust everyone on this. Take gaurd. Makes it alot harder to push you around. Lets you get 2d blocks. Many good things. No you don't put him on the line on defense. Only hang him out to dry when you really have to on game changing turns.

Dodge is great but you can get that anytime you roll normal. Don't waste the doubles.

With 50k rr's it won't take you long to get 100k to buy another.

Remember that it's not about one game. It's about being competative over the length of the league.

TuernRedvenom · Post by **TuernRedvenom** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:06 am

Where could I put my Elf Lineman with Gaurd on the line where it won't get ganged up on?

It's still just a lineman, if he's targeting your guarder then he's not targeting your catchers which is good for you! And with AV 8 he can take a bit of a "rough play".
Why not dodge? Dodge is a good pick, but for every team in the game it is always more preferable to throw 2-die blocks rather then dodge. Guard helps more with that then dodge does.

Cramy · Post by **Cramy** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 5:31 pm

On offence, put him on the line to maximize your 2d blocks. Once the blocks are thrown, you can then move him to a better position.

On defence, don't put him on the line. Put him back and on your turn move him into position to optimize your 2d blocks again.

And yes, he will be a target, but as Tuern said, better him than your catchers and throwers. And really, the more targets your team has, the better. If a few get taken-out, you still have more players that will cause your opponent problems.

Next skills for this guy, IMO, are block then side step then dodge if he gets to that many skills. I absolutely hate playing against guard, blodge, side stepping Elves. If you hit that player, you are often more likely to help your opponent than hinder him. It's like giving him a free move to get into position for more 2d blocks without having to dodge ...

datalorex · Post by **datalorex** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 4:24 am

Urb makes good arguments. I shall indeed go with Guard.

I think I'll go with Dodge with the 2nd skill. I don't really buy Cramy's argument for Block with the second skill. I need to protect my Guard Lineman with Dodge, not make him an offensive threat with Block.

Thanks everyone!

PubBowler · Post by **PubBowler** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:45 am

Block does stop you ending up on the floor when you are hit as well. And it isn't negated by Tackle either.

Get Block first. Harder to knock down.
Get Dodge first. Sometimes harder to knock down and sometimes easier to get in position. But Tackle gets rid of both.

But get both!

Kheldar · Post by **Kheldar** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:50 am

PubBowler wrote:Block does stop you ending up on the floor when you are hit as well. And it isn't negated by Tackle either.

Get Block first. Harder to knock down.
Get Dodge first. Sometimes harder to knock down and sometimes easier to get in position. But Tackle gets rid of both.

But get both!

Block helps you on offense, and defense, while dodge only saves you on defense. If your main aim is to keep him alive, take block. Dodge has the merit of easier movement.

Urb · Post by **Urb** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:48 pm

Overall I find dodge a better performing skill over block for elves. Don't get me wrong block is a great skill and a first choice for many players but I think with elves if you are planning a hitting game with elves you are playing the wrong team.

Even if they have tackle as stated earlier if they are hitting your guard guy they are not hitting your catchers or blitzers with tackle. Unless it's dwarves how much tackle do teams have? There's a bonus with dodge. If the player hitting you doesn't have block it's by far the better skill. Besides dodge helps your gaurd guy do his job easier. Ever play against a gaurding lineelf with dodge sidestep? A serious pain.

Take block as your second skill if that's what you feel most comfortable with but I still think dodge is the way to go on a normal roll for your gaurding lineelf.

TuernRedvenom · Post by **TuernRedvenom** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 2:34 pm

Don't get me wrong block is a great skill and a first choice for many players but I think with elves if you are planning a hitting game with elves you are playing the wrong team.

Elves can be great bashers with just a few doubles! I always develop my elf teams to make as many 2-die blocks as possible. It is different kind of bashy like eg dwarves. It's more agile bashy, move your strength vs their weaknesses while avoiding the opposition's strengths as much as possible.
Any elf team can score in 2 turns without any extra skills, but eg to effectively dominate the flow of the game you do need a developed team (with block for blocking and dodge for moving your assists).

Urb · Post by **Urb** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:03 pm

I do agree. Elves can certainly pick apart other teams in many ways. I've had elves out cas me many times. Thier mobility allows them to do many things very well indeed.

What elves shouldn't be thinking about is standing there toe to toe with other teams. Pick your fights.

TuernRedvenom · Post by **TuernRedvenom** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 3:17 pm

Urb wrote: What elves shouldn't be thinking about is standing there toe to toe with other teams. Pick your fights.

Absolutely!

Cramy · Post by **Cramy** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 5:22 pm

TuernRedvenom wrote:
Urb wrote: What elves shouldn't be thinking about is standing there toe to toe with other teams. Pick your fights.
Absolutely!

So if I may go back to the guard lineelf. He needs both block and dodge. It's up to you to decide which one to pick first based on how you want to play him, and what type of teams you have in your league, and what types of skills those teams have.

datalorex · Post by **datalorex** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:28 am

My league is small (only 4 rookie teams right now). There is one Orc team, one human team, one gobbo team, and my High Elf team. I match up well against the human and gobbo team, but the Orc team might give me trouble.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

duff · Post by **duff** » Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:03 am

My wife plays darkies (not the same but similar) her 2 gaurd lino's regularly make other's life difficult before they get injured again...